The Jewel of Our Solar System
A world of breathtaking beauty, with its magnificent rings and diverse moons, Saturn has captivated astronomers for centuries.
Explore the RingsSaturn's rings are one of the most spectacular sights in our solar system. Made up of billions of particles of ice and rock, they span up to 282,000 km across but are only about 10 meters thick in most places.
The rings are divided into several sections: the bright A and B rings separated by the Cassini Division, and the faint C ring. Beyond these are the dusty F, G, and E rings.
99% water ice with traces of rocky material
Estimated between 10-100 million years old
As thin as 10 meters in some places
With over 80 confirmed moons, Saturn has the most extensive moon system in our solar system. These range from tiny moonlets less than 1 km across to massive Titan, which is larger than the planet Mercury.
The only moon with a dense atmosphere and liquid lakes (of methane and ethane) on its surface.
Home to cryovolcanoes that spew water ice into space, potentially harboring a subsurface ocean.
Known as the "Death Star" moon due to its massive Herschel crater that makes it resemble the fictional space station.
NASA's Cassini spacecraft spent 13 years studying Saturn, its rings, and moons before its dramatic "Grand Finale" plunge into Saturn's atmosphere in 2017.
Cassini-Huygens launched from Cape Canaveral on October 15, 1997.
After a 7-year journey, Cassini entered Saturn's orbit on July 1, 2004.
The Huygens probe descended through Titan's atmosphere, providing the first images from its surface.
After 13 years of discoveries, Cassini made its final plunge into Saturn's atmosphere on September 15, 2017.
Saturn stands out among the planets with several extraordinary characteristics that continue to fascinate scientists.
With a density less than water, Saturn could theoretically float in a giant bathtub.
Saturn's winds can reach 1,800 km/h, faster than any other planet.
A persistent hexagonal cloud pattern at Saturn's north pole has puzzled scientists since its discovery.
A Saturn day lasts only 10.7 hours, despite its massive size.